Top News:
Jorge L. Ortiz / USA Today:
MLB playoff outlook: Astros, Red Sox are locks, but for 10 teams, it's wait 'til next year — On old baseball adage used to say the teams in first place on July 4 would win the pennant. Of course, that was well before the advent of five playoff entries in each league.
RELATED:
ESPN:
Sizing up the standings at Memorial Day checkpoint — The old saying in baseball is that you shouldn't check the standings until Memorial Day. Well, with Memorial Day behind us, we figured it was time to assess how the divisions stack up and what stands out at the first unofficial checkpoint of the season.
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
Ken Powtak / Associated Press:
Benintendi, Martinez Carry Red Sox Past Blue Jays — Andrew Benintendi celebrates with his Red Sox teammates after his three-run home run in the fourth inning Monday against the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park. — Andrew Benintendi has continued the hot hitting out of the leadoff spot for injured star Mookie Betts.
Discussion:
Over the Monster
Associated Press:
MLB notebook: Pirates' Freese, third base coach in brouhaha — Pirates third baseman David Freese and third base coach Joey Cora had to be separated in the dugout late in Pittsburgh's loss to the Cubs on Monday afternoon. — Neither was available to reporters after the game.
RELATED:
David Haugh / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Good guy Anthony Rizzo made a winning play — but he clearly crossed the line
Jesse RogersESPN / ESPN:
Pirates manager says it's ‘open season’ on catchers after Anthony Rizzo slide
Pirates manager says it's ‘open season’ on catchers after Anthony Rizzo slide
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, The Athletic, Red Reporter and Bleed Cubbie Blue
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cards have yet to catch a base-stealer — MILWAUKEE • One of the skills the Cardinals have become so well-known for has led to some unusual history already this season, and when they had a rare wobble Monday, it proved costly. — In the seventh inning at Miller Park …
Discussion:
Associated Press
RELATED:
Bob Nightengale / Lansing State Journal:
MLB trade targets: Top 20 players who could move by the deadline — Two shopping months remain before the non-waiver trading deadline, but with one-third of the teams already out of playoff contention, Major League Baseball is about to unleash its own Black Friday sale.
Discussion:
Federal Baseball, Des Moines Register and McCovey Chronicles
Mitchell Clark / Red Reporter:
This year's Reds are incredibly boring — Selective endpoints on the 2018 Reds - Games 37-54 — I spent the better part of two days writing this article and had no clue how to introduce this capsule. Typically I've been able to find some kind of theme that went with this team over the previous 18 games.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
RELATED:
Logan Newman / Arizona Sports:
Defensive miscues help D-backs score most runs in one inning since April 26
Defensive miscues help D-backs score most runs in one inning since April 26
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit and MLB Baseball News …
Bernie Wilson / Associated Press:
Caleb Smith mystifies Padres, gets run support as Marlins snap skid — Caleb Smith was brilliant in dominating a matchup of rookie left-handers, Yadiel Rivera's two-run single capped Miami's four-run first inning, and Cameron Maybin had three hits and two RBIs against his old team to lead …
Discussion:
Gaslamp Ball and Fish Stripes
RELATED:
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
As Carlos Rodon nears a return to White Sox, who will make way for him in the rotation? — White Sox manager Rick Renteria discusses the team's defensive mistakes against the Indians on Monday, May 28, 2018. (Paul Sullivan/Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Tribune
RELATED:
STEVE HERRICK (Associated Press) / MLB Baseball News …:
Encarnacion, Chicago's poor defense boost Indians to 9-6 win
Encarnacion, Chicago's poor defense boost Indians to 9-6 win
Discussion:
Columbus Telegram and South Side Sox
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
White Sox rookie Matt Skole: 'Couldn't have dreamed' of a better major-league debut
White Sox rookie Matt Skole: 'Couldn't have dreamed' of a better major-league debut
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
PETER SCHMUCK The Baltimore Sun / Sacramento Bee:
No matter what the Orioles' Alex Cobb does, the outcome seems to be the same — Orioles starter Alex Cobb threw one damaging pitch during the seven innings he pitched in Monday's interleague matchup against the Washington Nationals at Camden Yards, but he lost anyway.
RELATED:
Jon Meoli / Baltimore Sun:
Five truths the Orioles must confront with Memorial Day and one-third of season having passed — Ever the pragmatist, Orioles manager Buck Showalter claimed to be unfamiliar with the idea that a team could be properly evaluated on Memorial Day, noting that this year it happened to fall …
Discussion:
Camden Chat
Craig Calcaterra / NBCSports.com:
Noah Syndergaard heads to the disabled list with a strained finger ligament — The Mets have not been playing well lately and now their fortunes are taking an even worse turn: Noah Syndergaard has been placed on the 10-day disabled list with a strained ligament in his finger.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, MLB Trade Rumors and MLB Daily Dish
Cincinnati.com:
Baseball fan stands in rain to hold umbrella over JROTC member on Memorial Day — As we celebrate Memorial Day, take a look at how and where we honor those who have given their lives to protect our country Wochit — The Atlanta Braves gave their fans plenty to discuss Monday after splitting …
Discussion:
FOX 61
Will Graves / Associated Press:
101. 102. 103. 104. 105. Cardinals rookie Jordan Hicks is lighting up radar guns — Jordan Hicks can't explain where the gas comes from. If he's being honest, the St. Louis Cardinals rookie flamethrower doesn't really want to. Best not to overthink it.
Richard Morin / Arizona Republic:
First round MLB draft picks from Arizona … WHAT CHANGED?: MLB mock draft - first edition — 1. Tigers: Casey Mize, RHP, Auburn — Explanation: Although it's not a foregone conclusion that he goes No. 1 overall, Mize still looks like the favorite. There isn't another starting pitcher …
Dave Clark / Cincinnati.com:
Devin Mesoraco credits adjustment Mets hitting coach Roessler suggested for newfound power — NY Mets catcher Devin Mesoraco discusses the trade that sent him to the Mets Matt Ehalt, Staff Writer, @MattEhalt — Devin Mesoraco has hit five home runs in his first 46 at-bats with the New York Mets since …
Discussion:
Newsday